LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Care services for postpartum mothers are expanding thanks to digital health care’s impact on doctors engaged in discovering critical needs, according to researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Institute for Community Health Innovation.
Digital health care’s potential to reach more young mothers is a critical development in care services.
“Virtual postpartum care can play a powerful role in expanding access to important services, especially those related to sensitive topics like mental health, intimate partner violence or substance use,” said Don Willis, Ph.D., a researcher at the institute. “By removing barriers like transportation and childcare, virtual visits can help parents in Arkansas receive the care they need and even influence what gets prioritized during those critical postpartum checkups.”
Over 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.
More than half of those occur between seven days and one year after delivery, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Suicide, homicide, and substance use are leading contributors to pregnancy-associated deaths.
In the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Global Report, a study was conducted, showing a rise in screenings for emotional and physical abuse, cigarette smoking, and postpartum depression.
“We are committed to closing gaps in postpartum care in Arkansas by testing innovative, patient-centered approaches like remote monitoring, food-as–medicine initiatives and client-focused care,” said Pearl McElfish, Ph.D., director of the institute. “By focusing on underserved and rural populations, we aim to identify care models that are both effective and can ensure that all new mothers receive timely, high-quality support during a vulnerable period.”
Click here to learn more about the institute’s involvement in addressing maternal health in the state.
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